At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we want to see each one of our patients for a cleaning and checkup twice a year. Most of the time we try to get you to schedule your next appointment even as you leave the office from your latest one. There are some very good […]
General Dentistry
Which Type of Toothbrush is Best?
Is an electric toothbrush better than a manual toothbrush for cleaning your teeth? At Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington we won’t recommend one over the other. But we’re taking a close look at the electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes have been commercially available in the United States since the 1960s. But they first […]
Sinus Pain Or Abscessed Tooth?
Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry
At Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, many patients come in with a toothache. In some cases, the toothache is a secondary symptom of a sinus condition. Let’s discuss the relationship. Your maxillary sinuses are very close upstairs neighbors of your top teeth. In some areas, only a sliver of tissue separates the […]
The ADA: Promoting Dental Health Since 1859
Categories: Dental Health, General Dentistry
This post from Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington is about the American Dental Association. You have probably seen the ADA emblem on toothpaste and floss—but what else do you know about this dental organization? The ADA’s self-proclaimed purpose is to improve the level of public oral health by supporting the dental industry […]
Teach Healthy Habits Early to Avoid Disease in Adulthood
Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in the United States. It doesn’t often appear in children, but it can. That’s why Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington stresses good dental health, with regular checkups and proper dental hygiene, starting at an early age. We recommend a child’s first dental visit […]
The Five Stages of a Cavity
You may have heard that once tooth enamel is eroded, it’s gone forever. This is partially true, but in in this post from Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington we explain how in the earliest stage of enamel erosion, a cavity can be reversed. Let’s describe the five stages of a cavity. Stage […]
A Root Canal Doesn’t Just Save a Tooth
When a patient comes into Stephen Ratcliff Family & Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington with long-time toothache, they are often desperate. “Just pull it!” They don’t want to suffer the pain any longer. They have written off the tooth and have recognized the reality that they will lose it. Extraction isn’t the only option When a tooth […]
Fixing Chipped Teeth With Bonding
Categories: General Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry
Your teeth are covered in enamel, a strong outer layer that protects them. But it isn’t indestructable. A little rough-housing at home, an accident on the playing field, or biting something like hard candy or ice, and you’ve got a chipped tooth. If that happens, call us at Stephen T. Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry […]
Health Habits To Keep You Smiling
In this post from Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we focus on behaviors that influence dental health. Of course, regular brushing and flossing are two important habits for healthy teeth, but there are many more things we can do to keep a healthy smile. Diet Do’s Do eat a nutritious diet with […]
Watch Out For Hidden Sugar
Every health-conscious parent knows that sugar is the number one cause of cavities. Plenty of us adults also nibble on too many sweets. Sugar is in a lot of processed food, and at Stephen Ratcliff Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Arlington, we want you to be aware of hidden sugar and its risks to your […]
